Sarah + Mike: Armstrong Farms Wedding Photos

A year ago, I photographed a wedding at the White Barn for two awesome people - Brian and Rachel (click here to see their wedding photos!), the brother and sister-in-law of Mike, who just so happened to be the best man. Shortly after, Sarah, Mike's fiance, reached out to me saying that the two of them were getting married, planning a wedding, and would love for us to capture it! And of course, I was so excited to work with this amazing family again!!

A few months later, we scheduled an engagement session for Sarah and Mike (see those photos here!) which they TOTALLY ROCKED in the heat and humidity (which was a whopping 100%!!). I feel like I learned so much about these two during their session just through the way they interacted with each other. So loving, so kind, so gentle. So, so in love. (You know a couple is truly in love when they snuggle together in 100% humidity!)

Thankfully, though, their wedding day was much less humid - almost the perfect temperature, actually. From the moment I stepped inside the farmhouse where Sarah and bridesmaids were getting ready, I knew it was going to be an amazing day. The whole day, including her bridal details, were sprinkled with meaningful details that pointed back to the couple's story. Her bridal details alone included: a ring from the bride's grandma, a cork from the champagne bottle popped at their rehearsal dinner, and lace to be wrapped around the bride's bouquet from a friend who also wrapped it around hers. Perfection.

After getting ready, Sarah and her dad placed roses on chairs in the ceremony space for a few relatives who watched the day unfold from above. It was an incredibly thoughtful and emotional moment!

From Armstrong Farm's Fieldstone Farm, we journeyed over to where Mike and his groomsmen were getting ready (Westminster Farm) for an intimate first look between the bride and groom, followed by bridal party photos around the property and in the barn, followed by the ceremony overlooking the rolling hills of Pennsylvania and a cocktail hour featuring some Cinco de Mayo inspired food and beverage holders! After a bit of celebrating, we stole these two out into one of the fields for just a few more photos!

I am so excited to share Sarah and Mike's beautiful day!

Vendors:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Armstrong Farms

Florals: Crystal Robinson of Darlington Flower Co.

Cake: Main Street Bake Shop

DJ: Pittsburgh All Stars

Makeup: Brazil Raine

Hair: Profiles Salon

Bride's Dress: from MB Bride by Rebecca Ingram

Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie

Invitations: Minted

Linens: Lendable Linens

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Second Photographer: Kim Tryon, Kim Hadden Photography

Wedding Photography Bucket List

We all have those crazy, far fetched dreams - bucket list items, if you will - that don’t seem real until you put them out into the world. The more I’m alive the more I realize how much of a team sport life is - I’m learning over and over that I can’t do it all on my own. Sure, that might seem obvious to some who are naturally awesome team players, but the control-freak inside of me wants to do it all on my own. I think starting a business points to the fact that, sometimes, you have to be willing to do it all on your own.

But that doesn’t mean you have to stay there.

And it doesn’t mean I have to stay there.

So today, I want to share one of my huge wedding photography dreams with you! If you’ve been following along on the blog or over on Instagram, you might’ve caught onto the fact that my husband and I are BIG Disney fans. We’ve gone a total of three times since we’ve been married (don’t worry, we’re still big time killing our debt!), and we’ll have only been married for three years in August. We talk about going other places for vacation, but somehow, we always seem to end up asking each other, “what if we just went to Disney?!?”

You might be wondering, what does Disney have to do with your wedding photography dream?

Well… the current biggest item on my wedding photography bucket list is to photograph a wedding on Disney property. At one of the resorts, or in the parks - but, the ultimate dream would be to photograph a wedding at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort!

We recently went down to Orlando (February of 2018) and for the last few days of our trip, we treated ourselves to a few nights at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. It wasn’t the first time we had stayed there (actually, it was the third!) but every time we walk away loving it more and more. And GUESS WHAT:

One evening as we were strolling around on the Boardwalk at twilight, eating some free ice cream samples (we might be able to afford staying at the cheapest room at the Boardwalk by a hair but affording the food is a whole ‘nother story!) I saw a white vision out of the corner of my eye and whipped around to see a bride, a groom, and a photographer all walking towards the “Dance Hall” reception venue on the boardwalk. I immediately told Nick “we’re following them” and as he started to protest how much of a creep I was being (which, I totally admit, I was) I pulled him along with me and we walked behind the threesum all the way to their venue, watching as they stopped to take photos against the gorgeous Boardwalk Bay along the way.

I was being a little bit of a creep, but I realized something that night: how much I want to photograph a wedding at the Boardwalk. It seems a little silly to even type because I know how much of a long shot it is without family or friends in the area to pass along my name, but nonetheless - it’s still a dream, and if it’s meant to be, it will be!

I also thought this would be the perfect time to share a few of my favorite photos from our anniversary photo session at the Boardwalk for our first year of marriage (taken in November of 2016). Enjoy (and see some of the little reasons why we love the Boardwalk so much!)

Get a Dose of JHP Straight to Your Inbox!

JHP FINALLY has an email list and I couldn't be more excited about it!! Over the course of the last year, I've had numerous current, former, and soon-to-be clients ask if there is a way they could stay updated on a monthly to bi-monthly basis with things like mini-session dates, cancellations, print specials, the latest blog posts new offerings, discounts, and the like, and I'm finally excited to open up this email list to anyone who would like to join!

With all of that being said, let me tell you a few things this email list is not:

• Spam (I cannot STAND when people send me useless emails!)
• A constant sales pitch (who wants to be sold to all the time?! Not me!)

If you are someone who is looking to stay updated on all things JHP, then this email  list is certainly for you. Sign up below!

Sam + Anthony: Pittsburgh Marriott North Wedding Photos

Sam and Anthony have been waiting a long time for this day to come - five and a half years, to be exact! Their stories (and families) were intertwined long before their wedding day - Anthony was actually good friends with the bride's older sister before they even started dating! Ever since I photographed these two at Moraine State Park last spring (see their engagement photos here!) I've been counting down the days til their wedding day!

Sam wore the most gorgeous, flowing (and not to mention spin-worthy) Pnina Tornai gown (bought from Kleinfeld Bridal - yes, the bridal store from "Say Yes to the Dress" 😉). As a bride who loves details possibly just as much as I do, Sam had the most gorgeous lavender and purple bridal details to compliment the color scheme of her wedding day! While Sam was putting on her wedding shoes, she noticed a surprise note left by Anthony on her shoe, too - so thoughtful!!

These two opted for a traditional first look inside the church (with Anthony seeing Sam for the first time coming down the aisle!) and let me tell you - I was choking up behind my camera as they BOTH started tearing up. Then Sam's dad started tearing up, watching Sam's HUGE smile through her tears of joy. Then I look over and see Sam's mom and almost every single bridesmaid crying - all of the happy tears!!

After the ceremony, we snuck off to one of my favorite little spots near the Pittsburgh Marriott North for photos, then back to the Marriott (where I used to work and serve food at weddings - small world!) for a reception with a live band (shout out to Bachelor Boys Band for doing an amazing job!). I am SO excited to share this wedding and couldn't be more excited for these two as they being their lives together. Congratulations, Sam and Anthony! You two are the best!

Vendors:

Ceremony: St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church

Reception: Pittsburgh Marriott North

Bride's Dress: Kleinfeld's Bridal, Pnina Tornai

Bridesmaid Dresses: The Exquisite Bride

Hair: Hair Masters (Maryanne)

Bride's Makeup: Camille Comfort (bridesmaid)

Live Reception Entertainment: Bachelor Boys Band

Cake: Tin Man Sweets

Florist: Holiday Florist

Videographer: Just Hitched Wedding Films

Mensware: Jack's Tuxedo

Invitations:Dianne Campbell (a family friend)

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Hilary + Luke: NOAH's Event Venue Cranberry Township Wedding Photos

Oh my do I have a beautiful wedding to share with you today, and I am EXTRA excited because it's the very first wedding I photographed in 2018!! Hilary and Luke said "I do" mid-April at NOAH'S Event Venue in Cranberry Township and it was absolutely stunning!

It's no secret that Spring didn't really "spring" at the usual time this year, leaving us with a few lingering winter weather weeks. But - when I woke up the day of Hilary and Luke's wedding and checked the forecast, the weather was calling for a 77 degree day - hallelujah!! As you can imagine (or may have experienced!), it was a beautiful day in Western PA that day, and I was so thankful that Hilary, Luke, and their friends and family were able to enjoy the gorgeous weather!

We started off the wedding day at Hilary's family home, photographing her stunning bridal details and Maggie Sottero dress (with the most beautifully intricate beading!). Then, we headed off to NOAH'S for an intimate first look, then to Historic Harmony for photos of the bridal party and bride & groom! Historic Harmony is one of my all-time favorite spots for photos - there are so many beautiful colors and textures to work with, which especially complimented Hilary and Luke's blush and gray color scheme well!

After photos, we traveled back to NOAH'S Event Venue for a beautiful ceremony, surrounded by chandeliers, lanterns, and green garland. At the reception, there was a HANGING CAKE (yes, you read that correctly!) that almost stole the show! After some heartfelt toasts and lots of dancing, Hilary and Luke exited with a sparkler exit and drove away as husband and wife!

Vendors:

Ceremony & Reception: Noah's Event Venue (Cranberry Township)

Floral Design: Karrie Hlista Designs Studio

Cake: Sue Reis

DJ & Live Entertainment: Mike Medved Music

Makeup: Ciel Cosmetics

Hair: Kara Burnell

Bride's Dress: One Enchanted Evening, Maggie Sottero

Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstrom

Catering: Medure's Catering

Invitations: Minted (personalized by the bride)

Videographer: Light Motion Studios

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer: Jenna Hidinger Photography

Two Additional Wedding Events to Hire a Photographer For

If you’re getting married, chances are you definitely want to hire a photographer to document your day. Maybe even you’ve hired someone to take your engagement photos. But are there any other events you should consider hiring a photographer for?

Below are two additional wedding events that are typically heavily photographed, but not always by a professional photographer. Consider hiring a photographer for these two events to avoid the dreaded photo taking impairment effect.

1.  Bridal Shower

Your friends and family put SO MUCH work into showering you with love and joy with so many beautiful and personal details, why not hire a photographer to document the day? That way, no one will have to worry about being on “camera duty” and everyone can enjoy your bridal shower fully engaged!

2.  Rehearsal Dinner

Do you have a lot of extended family who you’re inviting to your rehearsal dinner? A rehearsal dinner is not only a great time for a photographer to get to know your family and bridal party before the wedding day, but a great way to get extra photos of your extended family all in one place! Plus – having time to take a few group photos at your rehearsal dinner is a great way to lessen the amount of extended family photos on the day of the wedding, saving time the day of your wedding for just having fun!

For more tips, tricks, and blog posts, be sure to follow @jennahidinger on Instagram!

Questions to Ask Yourself AFTER Meeting with a Wedding Photographer

There are so many articles talking about what questions to ask your wedding vendor/photographer while you're meeting with them, but how are you supposed to know after you meet with them if they're the right fit for you?! I've put together a list of four questions you and your significant other should ask yourselves after meeting with a potential photographer that will help you vet if you're making the right decision!

1.     Do our personalities mesh well with our potential photographer? Can we imagine him/her following us around on our wedding day? (And do we feel comfortable with that?)

The reason: Do you really want someone following you around on one of the happiest/most important days of your life that you don't like?! As a former bride, I can tell you that one of the best decisions we made was to hire vendors who we actually enjoyed being around - especially our photographer. If you don't actually like the person you hire, you might end up feeling annoyed, frustrated, and aggravated on one of the very best days of your life - which means your friends and family will probably be aggravated, too. Do yourself a favor - hire someone you like being around!

2.     Do we like their photography style?

The reason: If you don't like their style, then they are probably not a great fit for you. Most photographers hone in and spend years mastering a particular style they like, from posing to editing, and an established and experienced wedding photographer will most likely not change their editing or shooting style for you. Find someone whose work you love right from the start!

3.     Did we see any photos that will be representative of our wedding?

The reason: If you're getting married in the winter in downtown Pittsburgh and you've only seen bright and sunny summer farm weddings from your photographer, you might want to ask to see more work that aligns with the timeframe and style of your wedding. It's important to know that your photographer can handle your type of wedding - not just one style that doesn't fit your time of year or venue!

4.     Does this person really care about us, or are they just trying to make a sale?

You can see them from a mile away - the vendor who is doing everything in their power to make the sale without actually caring about YOU. Interestingly enough, I saw this happening the other day in my local Starbucks. A couple with that just-engaged-glow sat down at a table next to me, talking about how excited they were to meet their potential photographer. I'm not one to listen in on conversations, but I had forgotten my ear buds that day and they were literally sitting a foot away from me.

In walks their photographer carrying an iPad and a large album. He plopped everything down on their tiny table said a quick "Hey, I'm _________. Look at some of my work while I order a drink." And then proceeded to take out his album, fling it in front of them, and walk away to order. Once he came back to the table, he gave a little speel about how awesome he was, how long he had been working, how many awards he had won, then gave them the pricing and mentioned how he had multiple other couples looking at the same date, so they better "act fast." Then, after pushing them to sign a contract, they signed and he left. The couple kept talking about how "he'll do, I guess," and then proceeded to leave the coffee shop.

I have no idea who this photographer was, but I was in DISBELIEF! I felt sorry for the couple, who hadn't actually gotten to share their story. I felt sorry for the photographer, who seemed more interested in showing off than caring about this sweet couple. Don't get me wrong - I don't think there's anything wrong with being confident in what you can produce, but should it come at the expense of actually loving on and caring for people?

---

Make sure you are asking questions and reflecting on each wedding photographer you meet with in relation to these questions and you're sure to choose the best photographer for you!

Favorite Resources for Planning a Pittsburgh Wedding

Okay, let's be honest: one of the toughest parts about planning a wedding is figuring out where to find the best information! (And I right?!) There are SO MANY vendors to secure, so many locations to look at, so many decisions to make - how can you make sure that you're making the best decisions and getting the most up to date information for yourself and your groom? Well, today I'm sharing three of my favorite tips that, as a former bride AND wedding photographer, I have found to be incredibly helpful and resourceful!

And as a little side note - none of these resources have asked in any way for me to blog about them. I truly just believe them to be some of the best resources out there for planning a Pittsburgh wedding! So without further ado, here are a few of my favorites:

1. BURGH BRIDES (BLOG)

By far one of my favorite resources for Pittsburgh wedding planning for SO many reasons! Burgh Brides is run by a woman named Victoria, who has a heart for showcasing Pittsburgh nuptials in (in my opinion ;) ) one of the best cities ever! From real weddings, to styled shoots, to unique engagement sessions and tons of Pittsburgh inspiration, her blog is a must read for anyone planning a wedding in Pittsburgh! Here's a little more about her blog from her site:

"Burgh Brides is an online publication dedicated to inspiring, showcasing, and celebrating Pittsburgh weddings.  I love to show off the unique nuptials that take place in this great city, as well as to inspire brides and grooms to create their own extraordinary day.  I share steal-worthy ideas, connect couples with awesome vendors, help soon-to-be newlyweds plan a stress-free wedding, and highlight the love that is all across these three rivers.

So why a Pittsburgh wedding blog?  Head to my very first post to find out!  Then watch this video to find out even more about why Burgh Brides is SO special!"

2. PITTSBURGH WEDDING (SITE)

Pittsburgh Wedding is another awesome resource for those planning a 'burgh wedding! From vendors to bridal shows to their blog, Pittsburgh Wedding features incredibly helpful information and a large variety of wedding vendors in the Greater Pittsburgh area, including Pittsburgh, Butler, Cranberry Township, Monroeville, Wexford, and Greensburg.

A little more from Pittsburgh Wedding:

"We have done our best to create a comprehensive website designed with you in mind, Burgh bride’s and groom’s. As you browse through our exclusive wedding directory, Pittsburgh wedding venues, wedding planning tips and wedding ideas, wedding tools, helpful how to articles, and bridal show listings, you will find everything you need to plan an unforgettable wedding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."

And folks - it truly is an incredibly comprehensive site with tons of info!

3. PITTSBURGH WEDDING FLEA MARKET GROUP (ON FACEBOOK)

Blogs and websites are great, but what if you have a question that really only a bride can answer? Maybe you're looking for a service within a specific budget, or want to get a feel for how a particular vendor treats their couples and guests. Look no further than the Pittsburgh Wedding Flea market Group on Facebook! This group was made specifically for couples in the Pittsburgh area to connect and share helpful information (and, bonus: you can score some decor from past Pittsburgh weddings in here, too!).

4 Questions to Ask a Potential Wedding Vendor

Talk about a time to be alive and engaged! If you’re a bride in today’s world, you have so many awesome resources to be able to get all of the information you could ever imagine! Vendor lists, checklists, and testimonials are all at the tips of your fingers – and yet, while some of these lists can be super helpful with asking questions that cover the basics of what a vendor will provide for your wedding, sometimes they don’t reach into the heart of the matter.

Here’s how I like to think about it: how are you supposed to know if the vendor you’ve met with for forty-five minutes at a coffee shop once is capable of handling your wedding day, or if they really have the passion to push through all of the grit? There are lots of potential question lists available from places like The Knot, Wedding Wire, Brides, and the like who offer up some decent options, but after being quizzed by a number of brides myself, I’ve found that there are a couple of REALLY important questions that are rarely asked – questions that help you see not just what a person does, but who a person is. Don’t get me wrong – you definitely want to ask what they’ll do if they get sick the day of your wedding, if they have backup gear, and if they have liability insurance, but those questions barely scratch the surface of who a person is, which is just as important.

So if YOU are interested in having vendors at your wedding who aren’t just booking you for the cash, but who genuinely care about making your wedding day the very best it can be, I encourage you to try asking these questions:

1.  How and when did you get into [wedding photography, DJing, catering, event design, etc.]?

This is just an important question to know in general, and surprisingly, one that I rarely get asked as a wedding vendor!

2. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

This question will give you an idea of the “why” behind what they do. If you hire someone to produce a product or service for you, chances are if the person creating the product or performing the service has tons of passion and purpose behind their chosen career path, they’ll put a lot more effort into making whatever they do the very best it can be!

3. What’s the toughest part of your job?

To me, honesty is key. It’s always promising when someone can answer a question like this in a positive light without putting anyone down. There are parts of every job that are tough, but this question specifically will give you a good look into a person’s integrity.

4. Why did you choose [insert service] for your career?

Do they love what they do? Is it a passion, or a just a job? A recent book I read entitled "Creative Confidence" has allowed me to see the work I do as not just a job or a career, but as a calling. And, effectively, why it is so important to find others who are called to their work, not just working a job or pursuing a career.

“For those who pursue a calling, their work is intrinsically rewarding in its own right - not just a means to an end.”

— Tom Kelley & David Kelley, "Creative Confidence"

"Amy Wrzesniewski, an associate professor of organizational behavior at Yale University's School of Management... has found that people have one of three distinct attitudes toward the work they do: they think of it as either a job, a career, or a calling... When work is strictly a job, it may effectively pay the bills, but you're living mostly for the weekend and your hobbies. Those who see work as a career focus on promotions and getting ahead - checking off achievements rather than pursuing deeper meaning... for those who pursue a calling, their work is intrinsically rewarding in its own right - not just a means to an end. So, what you do professionally fulfills you personally as well. And often that work is meaningful because you are contributing to a larger purpose or feel part of a larger community." - Tom Kelley & David Kelley in "Creative Confidence"

Publication Feature: Whirl Weddings Spring 2018

There's something so fun about seeing your work in print. And in March of 2018, Bethany and Phil, a couple whose wedding I photographed in September of 2017, was featured in WHIRL Wedding's spring 2018 issue! Bethany and Phil's wedding ceremony was held at Heinz Chapel, followed by a reception at University Club (Pitt). It was a beautiful wedding with so many personalized details, including a guitar card box (made by the bride herself!).

To see more from Bethany and Phil's wedding, click here! Thanks so much for the feature, WHIRL Magazine!